Thesis
Effects of maternal high fat diet consumption on offspring letpin signaling and brain development
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2017
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101628
Abstract
Obesity is a major health risk that affects close to 1 in 5 pregnant women. This correlates with an increase in childhood obesity, suggesting that increased maternal body mass index (BMI) may predispose offspring to become obese in later life. Recent studies show that maternal obesity predisposes offspring to hyperphagia, the mechanisms of which have not been well defined. Leptin signaling regulates food intake. We hypothesized that maternal intake of high fat diet (HFD) induces leptin resistance in neonates, which impairs hypothalamic brain development. To test this hypothesis, female C57BL/6J mice were fed either a control diet (10% energy from fat) or a HFD (60% energy from fat) beginning one week prior to breeding and ending when pups were weaned. At embryonic day 18, a trend of increase was observed in leptin concentration for offspring from HFD fed dams (P < 0.10). At birth, offspring of HFD-fed dams had increased mRNA expression of leptin receptor (LEPR), and increased phosphorylation of STAT3 protein in whole brain tissue compared with controls. Analysis of hypothalamic tissue in mice fed HFD until 15 months of age revealed decreased expression of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). In addition, a trend of decrease in neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene expression (P < 0.10) was also observed in HFD mice. These data indicate a negative life-long effect of HFD consumption on hypothalamic brain function in offspring. Maternal HFD consumption results in increased offspring leptin concentration during gestation and increased leptin signaling in offspring at birth. Prolonged HFD feeding during adulthood permanently reduced expression of genes for feeding inhibition in hypothalamic tissue. In summary, leptin concentration and receptor expression is altered at birth in offspring of dams fed HFD during gestation and lactation, resulting in a permanent impact on adult brain function.
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Details
- Title
- Effects of maternal high fat diet consumption on offspring letpin signaling and brain development
- Creators
- Sophie Corinne Trombetta
- Contributors
- Min Du (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Animal Sciences, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525044301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis